Combined gravity and fluid-pressure sander for locomotives.



E. A. RIVES 6/: H. B. NABO-RS.

COMBINED GRAVITY AND FLUID PRESSURE SANDER FOR LOCOMOTIVES.

APPLICATION FILED,JAN. 28, 1914. 1 1 1 Patented. Mar.30,1915.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

E. A. RIVES &: H. B. NABORS.

COMBINED GRAVITY AND FLUID PRESSURE SANDER FOR LOCOMOTIVES.

APPLICATION FILED 11111.28. 1914.

Patented Mar. 30, 1915.

' 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

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EDWIN A. ES AND HARRISON B. NABORS, OF GREENSBORO, NORTH CAROLINA,

ASSIGNOES OF ONE-EIGHTH TO HENRY I... HICKS, OF GREENSBORO, NORTH CARO- LENA.

COMBINED GRAVITY AND FLUID-PRESS SANDER FOR LOCOMOTIVES.

Specificationof Letters JPatent.

Patented Mar. 30, ildild.

Application filed January 28, 1914:. Serial No. 814,975.

' To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, EDWIN A. Rivas and HARRISON B. NABORS, citizens of the United States, residing at Greensboro, in the county of Guilford and State of North Carolina, have invented certain new and useful limprovements in Combined Gravity and F luid-Pressure Sanders for Locomotives, of which the following is a specification.

Our invention relates to new and useful improvements in track sanders for locomotives, the object of our invention being the provision of a sanding device which supplies sand to the rails of a track immediately in advance of the forward drive wheels of a locomotive, the sand being fed either by gravity or by fluid pressure, as preferred, or by both. y

A further object of our invention is to so construct the device that the valve controlling-the discharge of sand may be mounted upon the locomotive boiler outside of the sand-dome and the sand discharged from the dome to the valve by gravity. lit will be clear that this construction will permit the application of our improved sander to locomotives now in use, this being one of the primary objects of our invention.

A further object of our invention is to provide means whereby the valve will insure a substantially equal supply of sand to both rails of the track.

A still further object of our invention is the provision of an oscillating valve controlling the flow of sand from the sand- (lome to the rails, and so constructed and mounted in its casin movement will be limited in order that the engineer may readily determine Whether the valve is open or closed, the valve being operated manually.

A further object of our invention is to provide means for supplying an air-blast to the valve casing in order to force the sand from the valve when the latter is open, if such forced feeding of the sand is deemed desirable or necessary. And, a still further object of our invention is to so construct that its oscillatory the valve casing and valve that they can be assembled only in correct relative position, thereby greatly facilitating the assembling of the valve and avoiding all danger of improper operation. With these and other objects in view, our invention will be more fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings and then specifically pointed out in the claims which are attached to and form a part of this application.

In the drawings :Figure 1 is a fragmentary side elevation of a conventional form of locomotive showing our improved sandmg device applied thereto. Fig. 2 is a detail fragmentary view taken through the valve and valve casing. Fig. 3 is-a vertical sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. l is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 44 of Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a frag mentary detail sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 2. Fig. 6 is a perspective View of the valve removed from its casing.

Corresponding and like parts are referred to in the following description and indicated in all the views of the accompanying drawings by the same reference characters.

In order to insure a clear and accurate understanding of our invention we have illustrated the same in connection with a conventional form of locomotive 10, having forward drive-wheels 11, an engineers cab 12, and a main air reservoir 13. Mounted upon the boiler 14 of this locomotive is a sand-dome 15 of the conventional construction, this sand-dome being secured to the boiler by rivets or other suitable fastening devices 16, and being provided adjacent its lower end with a bottom 17 spaced slightly from the boiler and formed either with the sand-dome, or-as a separate part supported by brackets 18.

All of the above described parts are conventional in construction and any further detailed description is therefore unnecessary.

In installing our improved sanding device upon a locomotive the sand dome at a point slightly above the bottom 17 is provided with an opening 19 for the passage of sand, the opening in the bottom 17 being closed. A discharge nozzle 20 is'provided at one end with an encircling flange 21 which surrounds this opening 19, the nozzle being secured to the sand dome by rivets or other fastening devices 22. This nozzle which is preferably circular in cross section, is curved outwardly and downwardly, and closed at its lower end, save for a discharge opening 23 formed in that side adjacent the sand dome. The forward portion of the nozzle is thickened and cored to provide a duct 24 internallythreaded at its outer end to adapt it to receive one end of a pipe 25 and leading from the main reservoir of the air brake line through the engineers cab 12 and to the nozzle. This pipe 25 is provided at a point within the engineers cab with a cut-off valve 26 of any suitable type, this valve being usually termed a sand valve, in that it controls the air blast by which the sand is fed to the rails. The discharge nozzle 20 is further provided intermediate its length with an encircling flange 27 forming a seat to receive the main valve casing,

indicated as a whole by the numeral 28.

This casing which is formed in two parts 29 and 30, is provided with an opening 31 through which the nozzle 20 extends, thedischarge end of the nozzle terminating substantially centrally of the valve casing. The valve casing, as a whole, is substantially cylindrical in shape, being provided at that side adjacent the sand-dome with a rear- Wardly and downwardly projecting arcuate extension 32. This extension is formed upon that portion of the casing through which the nozzle extends and both portions of the casing are provided at their abutting edges with registering ears 33 perforated to receive bolts 34 having nuts 35, these bolts serving to tightly secure the two parts of the casing together. The/radius of curvatureof the lower part of the casing member 30 is less than that of the upper part because of which, the said casing is provided transversely and slightly above its center with an inwardly directed stop-shoulder 36, the purpose of which will be hereafter explained. The extension 32 of the casing member 29 is divided near its lower end by a partition wall 37 and the side portions of this extension are provided with tapped bores 38 to receive the threaded ends of the discharge pipes 39 leading to points immediately. in advance of the forward drivewheels 11 of the locomotive and slightly above the rails 40 of the track. This partition wall; provides in effect two chambers, each in communication with one of the pipes 39. It will therefore be clear that sand passing from the sand-dome through the nozzle 20 and into the valve casing, is free to escape from the valve easing into its extension 32 and be divided into substantially equal portions which will pass through the pipes 39 to both rails of the track. The flow of sand from the discharge nozzle 20 to these pipes is controlled by a valve indicated as a whole by the numeral 41. This valve is in fact a substantially cylindrical pocket open throughout a little less than one-half its circumference and is preferably cast or otherwise formed in one piece including spaced side portions 42, substantially circular in shape and connected about their lower peripheral edge portions by a bottom portion 43, and unconnected throughout the remainder of their edges, as clearly shown in Fig. 6. The radius of curvature of that portion of the valve which is closed is somewhat less than that of the upper portion, the curvature of each portion corresponding to-the curvature of the corresponding portion of the valve casing, in order that the valve may fit snugly within its casing. The bottom portion of the valve at its ends is directed outwardly to form stop ribs ll, one of which is adapted to engage the shoulder 36 when the valve is in closed position and the other of which is adapted to engage with the valve casing adjacent the juncture of the main body of the casing and its extension, as shown in Fig. l, when the valve is open. By this means any one manually oscillating or turning the valve may readily tell when it has been fully opened or fully closed. It will of course, be understood that the discharge nozzle 20 projects between the side portions 42 of thevalve and into the pocket which it forms. The opening 23 of the nozzle is somewhat below the level of the upper edges of the bottom portion 43 of the valve and therefore when the valve is in closed position, as shown in Fig. 2, sand will pass from the sand-dome through the nozzle until the lower part of the valve has been filled, when further flow of the sand will be prevented by the sealing of the opening 23 by the sand contained in the valve. As soon as the valve is oscillated to the position shown in Fig. 4, the sand contained therein will in part run into the extension 32 of the casing and so through the pipes 39 to the rails. As fast as the sand escapes from the valve fresh sand is supplied from the sand dome through the nozzle 20 and it will therefore be clear that sand ma y be continuously supplied to both rails in substantially equal quantities until all the sandcontained in the sand dome is exhausted. At this point it should be noted that the opening 23 in the discharge nozzle is directed toward the extension 32 or discharge end of the valve casing and the flow of sand is therefore greatly facilitated. If for any reason, however, the flow of sand is not sufficient, due to the action of gravity alone, this flow may be increased by opening the sand valve 26, permitting a blast of air to enter the nozzle. It should be noted also that the air duct or passage 22 formed in the nozzle is directed at somewhat of an angle toward the discharge end of the nozzle which also facilitates the forcing of sand therethrough.

In order to provide means for manually oscillating the valve to control the discharge of sand to the rails, we provide a valve stem or shaft 45, which extends through the central part of one side of the valve casing and which is secured at its inner end to the central part of one of the side portions 42 of the valve. In practice the abutting edge portions of the valve casing members 28 and 29 are both formed in such a manner as to co-act to provide a bearing for this shaft, this'formation being shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings. A valve stem lever 46 is operatively connected upon the outer end of the valve stem 45 and a connecting rod 47 joins the free end of this lever with the intermediate portion of a hand-lever 48 pivotally mounted at one end at any convenient point in the engineers cab 12.

From the foregoing description taken in connection with the drawings, the operation of our improved sander Will be readily understood and but slight description of the same is therefore necessary.

In use the sand-dome is .filled in the usual manner and upon such filling, sand will flow into the valve, which under normal conditions occupies the position shown in Fig. 2, until such flow is prevented by sealing of the opening 23' of the nozzle. Under such existing conditions as it becomes necessary to supply sand to the rails of the track the,

engineer or fireman may swing the handlever 48 rearwardly and thus through the connecting rod 47 and valve-stem lever 46 oscillate or partially turn the valve 41 until it occupies the open position shown in Fig. 4. Sand will then flow first from the valve and then from the sand-dome through the valve into the extension 32 of thevalve casing and from such extension through the pipes 39 to the rails. If the flow of sand thus obtained is not suflicient it may be increased to any desired amount by proper opening of the sand valve 26 which is also located in the engineers cab. The flow of sand mayfof course, be stopped at any time by swinging the valve 41 to normal position and cutting ofi the air-blast by shutting the valve 26.

Although we do not intend to ordinarily employ the device by fluid pressure means alone, it will of course be apparent, that such may be accomplished, as opening of the sand valve 26 when the valve 41 is in normal or closed position, will, because of the pressure of air through the nozzle 20 and valve casing force the sand through the space between the nozzle and open mouth of the valve, and into the extension 32 of the valve casing and so to the pipes 39.

It will be clear from even the most casual inspection of the casing and valve construction, 'as shown in Fig. 2 that the valve casing can be applied to the nozzle in but one way and that the valve can be mounted in the casing in but one position. Furthermore, when the valve is correctly mounted in the valve casing, the casing member or section 30 can be applied to the main portion of the casing only in the proper manner, as any attempt to improperly apply it would be frustrated through lack of space to accommodate the stop rib of the valve 41.

From the foregoing description it will be apparent that we have provided an effective form of gravity sander, the operation of which may be readily controlled by the engineer or fireman in his cab. Although the device is intended primarily to operate by gravity, an air-blast may be employed as a supplemental means or the device may be operated wholly by means of the air-blast, as preferred.

The device is simple in its construction, readily assembled, efficient in its operation and especially durable, due to the fact that little if any air need be employed in its operation and all scouring of the parts therefore avoided. Furthermore, the efliciency of the device when used as a gravity sander is far greater that that of the fluid actuating sanders, as the latter, due to the air-blast, scatter the sand over the track, in effect forcing it from the rails, whereas our device when used with gravity feed alone applies the sand evenly upon the tread of the rails. We do not Wish, however to be limited to the specific details of the construction illustrated and described, as various minor changes may be made at any time, within the scope of the appended claims, without in the slightest degree departing from the spirit of our invention. For instance, the device with slight structural changes may be employed on street or railway cars with equally beneficial results.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

1. A sander including a sand discharging nozzle adapted for communicative attachment with the sand dome of a locomotive, a valve casing mounted about the discharge end of the nozzle, an oscillatory valve mounted in the valve casing with the discharge end of the nozzle extending into the valve, means for limiting the oscillation of the valve,'a divided extension formed upon the valve casing adapted to receive sand upon opening of the valve, and pipes leading from said extension.

2. A sander including a sand discharging nozzle adapted for communicative attachment to the sand dome of a locomotive, a valve casing mounted about the discharge end of said nozzle and provided with a branched outlet port, a valve mounted in the casing and controlling the How of sand from the nozzle to the outlet port, and means for limiting the movement of said valve.

3. A sander including a sand discharging nozzle adapted for communicative attachment to the sand dome of a locomotive, a valve casing mounted about the discharge end of said nozzle and provided with a branched outlet port, a valve mounted in the casing and controlling the fiow of sand from the nozzle to the outlet port, and means for supplying a fluid under pressure to the discharge nozzle.

4. A sander including a discharge nozzle adapted for communicative attachment to the sand dome of a locomotive, a valve casing secured about the discharge end of the nozzle and provided with an extension, the extension being divided into opposed chambers, pipes leading from said chambers, a valve mounted in the valve casing and controlling the passage of sand from the nozzle to the valve casing extension, and fluid pressure means for forcing sand through the nozzle and valve.

5. A sander including a sand discharging nozzle adapted for communicative attachment to the sand dome of a locomotive, a substantially cylindrical casing surrounding the discharge end of the nozzle and provided with an extension having a partition wall forming chambers, feed pipes leading from the chambers, and a valve mounted for oscillation in the valve casing and forming a pocket into which the discharge end of the nozzle extends.

(i. A sander including a sand discharging nozzle adapted for communicative attachment to the sand dome of a locomotive, a substantially cylindrical casing surrounding the discharge end of the nozzle and provided with an extension having a partition wall forming chambers, feed pipes leading from the chambers, a valve mounted for oscillation in the valve casing and forming a pocket into which the discharge end of the nozzle extends, and an air supply pipe communicating at one end with the discharge nozzle intermediate the length of said nozzle and at an inclination toward the discharge end thereof.

7. In a sander, the combination with a sand dome, of a discharge nozzle adapted for communicative attachment at one end with the sand dome and extending outwardly and downwardly therefrom, a valve easing surrounding the discharge nozzle and having a ported extension directed toward the sand dome, the discharge nozzle being provided adjacent its free end with an opening directed toward the extension of the valve casing, and a valve mounted for turning movement in the valve casing and forming a pocket into whichthe discharge nozzle extends.

8. In a sander, the combination with a sand dome, of a discharge nozzle adapted for communicative attachment at one end with the sand dome and extending outwardly and downwardly therefrom, a valve casing surrounding the discharge nozzle and having a ported extension directed toward the sand dome, the discharge nozzle being provided adjacent its free end with an opening directed toward the extension of the valve casing, and a valve mounted for turning movement in the valve casing and forming a pocket into which the discharge nozzle extends, said valve being substantially eylindrical in shape and including spaced side portions and a bottom portion, the bottom portion being provided at its ends with outwardly directed ribs adapted for engagement with abutments formed in the valve casing to limit the turning of the valve.

9. A sander including a sand discharging nozzle adapted for communicative attachment to the sand dome of a locomotive, a valve casing mounted about the discharge end of said nozzle and provided with a branched outlet port, and a valve mounted in the casing and controlling the flow of sand from the nozzle to theoutlet port.

10. In a sander, a discharge nozzle adapted for attachment to a sand dome, a valve casing surrounding the discharge nozzle and having an outlet port, the discharge nozzle being provided adjacent its free end with an opening directed toward the outlet port and with an arcuate end wall adapted to deflect sand toward the port, a valve mounted in the valve casing and forming a pocket into which the discharge nozzle extends to provide a valve trap, said valve, when closed, shutting off communication between the nozzle and port only because of the trap, and means for supplying a fluid under pressure in the nozzle to blow sand from the trap to the port.

11. In a sander, a discharge nozzle adapted for attachment to a sand dome, a valve easing surrounding the discharge nozzle and raving an outlet port, the discharge nozzle being-provided adjacent its free end with an opening directed toward the outlet port and with an arcuate end wall adapted to deflect sand toward the port, a valve mounted in the valve casing and forming a pocket into which the discharge nozzle extends to provide a valve trap, said valve, when closed, shutting off communication between the nozthickened portion being provided with a' fluid passageway, and a fluid supply pipe connected to the outer end of the passageway.

In testimony whereof We afiix our signatures 1n presence of two witnesses.

EDWIN A. RIVES. HARRISON B. NABORS.

Witnesses:

R. L. ALEXANDER, A. J. CRAWFORD. 

